Weekly News Letter from The Principal’s Corner
November 22, 2013
Two Day WeekWS will be in session next Monday and Tuesday. There will be no school for the rest of the week, as it is Thanksgiving Break. There will be no news letter from the principal. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Holiday Luncheon A HUGE Success
We had over 100 guests for our School/Community Thanksgiving Feast on November 20th. A special thanks to the kitchen staff, Sandy and Judy, and the custodial staff, Theresa, Roland and Mike, for their hard work. Our volunteer helper was amazing, too: Thank you, Ruth Newhall!
Picture Retake Day
November 26th is Picture Retake Day... please look your best!
K-8 Students - Solo Performance
Would you like to sing or play a solo at an upcoming music performance? If so, please see Mr. Ramsey to sign up by the end of school on Tuesday, November 26th. Because there is a limited amount of time in each program, Mr. Ramsey may need to hold auditions to choose soloists. If you would like to do a solo but you don't know what song to perform, please see Mr. Ramsey right away. He has some great ideas!
Looking Ahead At Upcoming School Performances
Please mark your calendars:
**December 18 at 1:00 - This is a "Holiday" themed sing-along, so please only choose music that is about Christmas, Chanukah, Winter, etc. Grades K-8.
**January 28 at 6:30 - There is not a theme for this concert; performances of any kind are welcomed. Grades K-3 only.
**January 30 at 6:30 - There is not a theme for this concert; performances of any kind are welcomed. Grades 4-8 only.
Volunteers Needed
Once again, the WS faculty and staff would like to have their annual Christmas Luncheon for one hour, (11 to noon) on Dec. 19th. In order for this to happen, we must rely on the graciousness of volunteers to handle both student lunches and the recesses, (from 10:50 to noon).
Please call the school at 674-5400 if you are interested in volunteering on this special day.
Holiday Art Workshop
It's once again time for my favorite teaching days of the year! Join me for a morning of fun and creativity making special gifts to give during the holidays. My workshops are held at my home studio in Chester and open to children 6-13. Two sessions will be offered--as projects will differ each day students are welcome to take one or both. Classes will be held Saturdays from 9 to noon on December 1st and 8th, with a tuition cost of just $30 (to include materials and a festive snack!).
Please call Brenda Sheere @886-1699 to register. Space is limited to 15 students/session.
Brenda Sheere
Art Teacher
Weathersfield School
bsheere@wsesu.net
Faculty vs Student Basketball Game and Pep Assembly
Kelly Harriman, WS AD, has scheduled a pep rally and basketball game for 1:15 pm on Tuesday, November 26th in the gym. 8th graders will be taking on the seasoned, skillful and lightning fast WS staff and faculty! We hope to be gentle with the kids, but no promises! Kelly will be the students' coach and Nate McKeen has offered to coach the old guys... em, I mean the highly qualified faculty and staff!
Faculty and Staff, if you are not playing basketball on the 26th, please disperse yourselves in the bleachers to support and supervise classes, as many of the teachers will be on the court. Parents and community members, if you would like to come and observe the fun, please join us on the 26th. Lots of laughter is encouraged!
Directory and Public Information
As you know, we are not allowing children to pass invitations out in school to avoid hurt feelings. Parents have started to ask for classroom information for party invitations and other things. This kind of data is called directory or public information and the school can release it if it is the kind of information we share with PTA, class advisors, etc., and if the request is reasonable and purposeful. However, if a parent puts in writing that we are not to share mailing addresses and phone numbers, we do not. Therefore, if you do NOT want us to share this directory information with others, please let us know in writing ASAP.
WINNERS
Congratulations to the following people for winning a prize from the 8th grade raffle:
Martha Ingalls - 42" TV
Jane Walter - Homemade Quilt
Deb Gurney - Gift Card Package
Gwen Nichols - Simon Pearce Tree
Maryann Wilson- Sonic Toothbrush
Mary Lane - $50 Alpaca Meat
8th Grade raised around $550 on Saturday! They made their quota for the trip to Boston. Congratulations to our 8th Grade Students! We are all very proud of your dedication and hard work.
Welcome New Hires at WS
**Tara Smith, Long Term Kindergarten Substitute, to start on January 31, 2014 thru the last day of school in June.
**Patty Pomerleau, Title 1 Math Teacher and Math Magic Facilitator. Her first day was November 13, 2013. The Math Magic Program started on November 18th. This position will now be 5 days a week and is funded by federal funds.
**Connie Cannon, Title 1 Math Coach. Connie will be working two days a week, primarily Mondays and Tuesdays. Her position is paid for through federal funds.
**Linda Dion, Special Education Paraprofessional. Linda was recently hired by Central Office and will be working with special needs children attending our school. Linda's first day of school was November 18, 2013.
**These are the school nurses who will cover Emily Steven's maternity leave, Nov. 22, 2013 to March 3, 2014:
Monday - Alanna Farnsworth
Tuesday - Diane Ritland
Wednesday - Karen Townsend
Thursday - Marnie Rondeau
Friday - Alanna Farnsworth
Welcome to all of these folks!
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
- Vermont statute and local regulations require that all students attend school each day.
- Parents should call the school whenever their child will be absent. If no call is received, the school will call home.
- A student who is habitually absent may be considered truant. The school will contact the student’s family when a student has three unexcused or five excused absences or days tardy. Once a student reaches five unexcused or seven excused absences or days tardy, the truancy officer and the principal may be notified. The student’s family will receive a follow-up letter.
- If a student has been absent two or more days due to illness, a note from a doctor will be required, or the absence will be considered unexcused.
- In order to avoid being considered tardy, students must be in their homerooms by 7:50 or immediately following dismissal from the all purpose room. All students are expected to be in class at all times.
- Parents of students who miss school on a regular basis or exhibit a pattern of absence will be contacted by the school principal, guidance counselor, and/or nurse. Excessive absence may be reason for retention.
- If a student leaves school early due to illness or is out sick more than half the day, he or she may not participate in any afterschool events or activities that day.
- If parents elect that their students miss school for religious reasons, parents must notify the school in writing at least one (1) day in advance. If parents elect for religious reasons that their student remain in school but not participate in a particular activity, they must inform the school principal in writing at least one (1) day in advance, and the school will provide an alternate educational experience for that student.
APPROVED ABSENCES
- Absences due to immunization and/or medical records attendance restrictions.
- Confirmed religious observances.
- Documented appointments (i.e. counseling appointment, court appointment, doctor’s appointment, etc.) that couldn’t be scheduled outside of school hours.
- Documented family emergencies.
- Documented illness.
- School nurse’s documented recommendation that a student be sent home because of illness or injury.
- Offsite educational activities approved by the principal or superintendent
MAKE-UP WORK
Students who are absent may have up to five days, based on their teacher’s discretion, in which to make up any missing work, including any classroom-based assessments.
VACATION DURING SCHOOL DAYS 16 V.S.A. 1123
Families who choose to schedule vacations when school is in session must request permission in writing from the superintendent of schools in advance of the trip, specifying the exact dates that their student will not be in attendance. If the absence is approved, the student is encouraged to obtain the schoolwork he or she will be missing before beginning the absence. In the case of extended prearranged absences, it is the student’s responsibility to complete all schoolwork and assessments within five (5) school days of their return to school. Requests must be in written form to: Dr. David Baker Superintendent, 105 Main Street, Windsor, VT 05089
DISMISSAL
- Students are expected to be quiet and orderly during dismissal.
- Students must walk when boarding the bus.
- Walkers and other students who do not ride a bus will remain in their homerooms until dismissed.
- Students involved in afterschool activities and sports may not change into uniforms or leave their homerooms until notified.
PowerSchool Parent Portal for Grades 5-8
If you are having problems accessing PowerSchool GradeBook Information, please check out this link:
http://wsesu.net/storage/ParentPortal_QuickRefCard.pdf
PTA News
The 3rd Annual Car Show, put on by the PTA, will be held on October 4, 2014 from 10am – 2pm at the school to raise money for the 8th grade field trip to Boston. This year, we raised over $4,000, so mark your calendars now. A Penny Sale will be held at the school on April 5, 2014 to also help fund future 8th grade trips and for other PTA ventures.
Happy November,
JeanMarie K. Oakman, WS Principal
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